Santa Fe, N.M. – In response to the U.S. Senate vote on the Bureau of Land Management’s methane rule via the Congressional Review Act, Conservation Voters New Mexico Education Fund Program Director Molly Sanders released the following statement:

“Oil and gas companies in New Mexico waste more methane on federal lands than any other state – totaling $101 million worth from both federal and tribal lands, dollars our state needs. The Bureau of Land Management’s methane rule will aid New Mexico in capturing much needed royalties and revenues, while also protecting community health. We commend the Senate’s actions today to keep this critical safeguard in place by opposing the extreme tactics used to eradicate this commonsense safeguard.

This rule is supported by a majority of New Mexicans. We thank both Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich for standing up for New Mexico’s communities by voting against the efforts to dismantle the BLM rule, and urge all of our leaders in New Mexico to continue to support BLM’s implementation of the rule in our state.”